Man charged in 2015 homicide now charged with killing two Enfield couples

Matthew Lewis Simms, 25, was charged with four counts of murder in the Aug. 21 deaths of Janice Harris, James Harris, Peggy Whitley and James Whitley.

Simms was arrested in Rocky Mount in November 2015 in connection with the June 22, 2015, shooting death of Jarshamel Jaleek Cambridge in Enfield. Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said he was released after posting bond and failed to show up for a June 12 court date, and deputies weren't able to apprehend him until Sept. 7.

Once Simms was behind bars, Tripp said, investigators were able to link him to the quadruple homicide that shocked the rural community.

Residents were relieved about the break in the case Thursday night.

"We were wondering if the person is still out here, so you got to be with your doors locked. Around our neighborhood, we normally don't lock our doors, but now since that happened, he keep them locked all the time," said resident Starr Brake.

The Harrises and the Whitleys were shot while sitting at the Harrises' kitchen table playing cards, authorities said.

Authorities said a family member went to check on the residents of the home at 980 Fishing Creek Road, in the Glenview community west of Enfield, and found the bodies. Some items were missing from the home, but there were no apparent signs of a struggle, authorities said at the time.

Tripp said two weeks ago that the home might have been targeted and the killings might have been gang-related.

Tripp has declined to elaborate on why he thought the home was targeted or the gang connections, but Jim Harris, 88, was a gunsmith and had a federally licensed firearm business that he ran out of his home.

James Whitley, 76, was a farmer and his 67-year-old wife a former hairstylist. Janice Harris, 72, was an administrative assistant for a local builder.

"People's lives mean a lot. Just unnecessary killings and stuff like that we we're very concerned citizens of Enfield," said resident Daisy Richardson.

Tripp has said Cambridge's death two years ago also was gang-related, and eight people were charged in that case.

Simms was being held without bond in the Halifax County jail and was expected to make his first court appearance on Friday.

He has been convicted over the past decade of numerous break-ins, as well as on weapon and drug charges, according to state Department of Public Safety records.